The Door Into Sunset - Softcover

Diane Duane

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0552136638 ISBN 13: 9780552136631

Publisher: Corgi, 1992

Synopsis

"Good strong stuff with the right light touch." --Terry Pratchett "The culminating battle will disappoint nobody. Imaginative, well-handled magical affrays, plus plotting that provides enough twists and turns to keep things interesting." (Kirkus Reviews) In the third and climactic volume of the Tale of the Five, Freelorn, exiled prince of Arlen, heads home to battle for his lost throne at last... but the odds are stacked against him. His land has achieved an illusion of stability under the reign of his usurping half-brother Cillmod, and not everyone is convinced that Freelorn's rule -- even though he is the rightful heir and chosen successor to the half-divine White Lion of Arlen -- would be that much of an improvement. But some have no doubts at all, and will do whatever it takes to keep Freelorn from retaking his throne. One of these is the sorcerer Rian, Cillmod's chief advisor, who has helped Cillmod twist to his use the royal magics that have preserved Arlen and its throne for centuries. And though Freelorn has the aid of Herewiss, first man in centuries to possess the dangerous Power of the blue Fire, and Eftgan, Queen of Arlen's neighbor-country and immemorial ally Darthen, even their combined power may not be enough to break the deadly grip of the shadowy force manipulating Cillmod and Rian to Its own ends. Freelorn and his friends and allies -- human and otherwise -- must now put their lives on the line in a final campaign in which he and they discover they have become tools in the hands of the Goddess against Her most terrible and ancient enemy. And for Freelorn, the final sacrifice to save his land from the triumph of an age-old evil will confront him with a choice more terrible than anything he could have imagined: death with those he loves... or immortality without them.

About this title

About the Author:

Diane Duane has been a writer of science fiction, fantasy, TV and film for nearly four decades. Besides the 1980s creation of the Young Wizards fantasy series for which she’s best known, the “Middle Kingdoms” epic fantasy series, and numerous stand-alone fantasy or science fiction novels, her career has included extensive work in the Star TrekTM universe and many scripts for live-action and animated TV series on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as work in comics and computer games. She has spent a fair amount of time on the New York Times Bestseller List, and has picked up various awards here and there—most recently the “Faust” Grand Master Scribe award of the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers. She lives in County Wicklow in Ireland with her husband of thirty years, the screenwriter and novelist Peter Morwood. A more complete biography can be found at DD’s website, dianeduane.com. Her favorite color is blue, her favorite food is a weird kind of Swiss scrambled-potato dish called maluns, she was born in a Year of the Dragon, and her sign is "Runway 24 Left, Hold For Clearance." Online she can be most frequently be found on Twitter (@dduane), on Facebook (facebook.com/diane.duane/), and on Tumblr (dduane.tumblr.com).

From Kirkus Reviews:

After a nine-year hiatus (The Door into Shadow, 1984, etc.), Duane's series again gets under way--this time as the evil Shadow and its minions threaten the Celtic/Norse-flavored kingdoms of Darthen and Arlen. After an interminable opening--all recaps, updates, chat, etc.--the plot finally asserts itself. The throne of Arlen is presently occupied by the usurper Cillmod, who has allied himself with the Shadow-inspired magician, Rian. Eftgan, Queen of Darthen, needs time to gather her forces for an assault in Arlen's capital, Prydon. Herwiss, master of Fire, the only extant male magician, contends with Rian but cannot defeat him despite the help of Sunspark, a fire-elemental. Warrior-sorceress Segnbora, having been given the memories of dragons, tries to persuade those same reluctant dragons to join the struggle against the Shadow. And Arlen's true king, Freelorn, survives Initiation in Lionhall, and acquires the magic of his godlike father, the White Lion. The culminating battle will disappoint nobody. Imaginative, well-handled magical affrays, plus plotting that- -eventually--provides enough twists and turns to keep things interesting: dramatic improvements after that glutinous start. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Corgi
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0552136638
• ISBN 13: 9780552136631
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 384